Seattle (ots-PRNewswire) - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
announced today that Sylvia Mathews, Deputy Director of the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has been named Executive Vice
President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, headquartered in
Seattle, Washington.

"Sylvia will help us use our grant-making as a catalyst for
change," said Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation founder Bill Gates.
"Sylvia brings a critical set of skills to the table that will help
us forge the strategic partnerships necessary to make a long-term
impact in global health, education and access to technology."

Mathews will oversee finance, administration, legal, government
relations, public affairs and other foundation activities. In
addition, Mathews will serve on the executive team, helping to shape
overall foundation strategy and evaluate the effectiveness of current
programs. Mathews will coordinate the foundation's strategy of
building partnerships with governments, industry, United Nations
agencies, foundations and non-governmental organizations.

Mathews has served as Deputy Director of OMB for the last two
years under Jack Lew, and prior to that served as Deputy Chief of
Staff to the President of the United States. Mathews previously
served as Chief of Staff to former Secretary of the Treasury Bob
Rubin, and as White House Staff Director for the National Economic
Council. Mathews holds degrees from both Harvard University and
Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.

Upon news of her departure, President Bill Clinton wished Mathews
well saying, "As Deputy Budget Director, Sylvia Mathews has been a
key member of my economic team and deserves a fair share of the
credit for the development of our economic strategy. Sylvia's
steadfast commitment to public service and her first-rate intellect
will make her a valuable asset for the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation."

Mathews will report to foundation Co-Chair and President, Patty
Stonesifer, and Stonesifer welcomed her arrival saying, "We are
always looking for ways to advocate on behalf of our grantees and the
issues in which they work. Sylvia has a track record of tackling
complex economic issues and her skills will help us find sustainable
solutions to the challenges the foundation works to address."

Mathews will begin work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on
April 2, 2001.